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Right Winger - Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale enjoyed a successful five-season stint with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
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The Welshman combined with Ronaldo and Karim Benzema (more on him later) to form one of the most devastating attacking triumvirates in the game's history. Real Madrid rode on the trio's exploits to win four Champions League titles in five years.
Bale is one of the most explosive wingers in the game, even though his prowess may have seemingly declined in recent years. Nevertheless, he is a big-game player, having scored in two Champions League finals.
The 32-year-old, one of only two players to provide over 30 assists to Ronaldo, recently said about the Portugal captain:
"Cristiano Ronaldo - for me, just the amount of goals he scores and the titles that we won together. I think arguably one of the best ever to play football. For me, I will have to say him.”
Centre-Forward - Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is one of the best centre-forwards Cristiano Ronaldo has played with during his illustrious career. The duo won four Champions League titles in five years and two La Liga titles, among others.
During a prolific near decade-long stint at Real Madrid, the duo created countless goals for each other. In fact, Benzema is the player with the most assists (47) for Ronaldo, doing so in over 340 games.
Both players arrived in Madrid in the summer of 2009. While Ronaldo hit the ground running, Benzema was a steady performer. However, after Ronaldo left Madrid in 2018, the Frenchman has upped the ante, scoring 20 league goals in each of his last three seasons.
Benzema has started the new season on a tear, already reaching double digits for the campaign.
Left Winger - Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney was predominantly a centre-forward who also played on the flanks, thanks to his searing pace and crossing ability. Nevertheless, he finds a mention in this hypothetical XI as a winger.
Rooney struck up a devastating partnership with Ronaldo during the duo's six seasons at Manchester United in the late 2000s. Their goals powered the Red Devils to three consecutive Premier League titles and back-to-back Champions League finals (won one, lost one).
One of the last games the duo played together was the 2009 Champions League final, which Manchester United lost to Barcelona.
